Automotive
Suzuki to contest the World Rally Championship (WRC) from 2007
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March 1, 2006 Suzuki has announced it will enter the World Rally Championship (WRC) from August, 2007 using its all new Sports X-over vehicle SX4 as the basis. The SX4 was also launched at the Geneva Show. Suzuki’s decision to participate in the WRC follows from its very successful involvement with its teams in the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC).
The Roadster F - 1230 kilogram, 650 bhp limited edition Pagani
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March 1, 2006 Any list of the ten most desirable sports cars in the world would include a Pagani Zonda – it is one of the fastest, most exclusive and technologically advanced automobiles available. This time last year, Pagani unveiled the Zonda F - a high performance version of a vehicle already amongst the fastest road cars in the world created to honour Manuel Fangio. Weighing just 1230 kilograms, the Pagani Zonda F has a top speed of 345 kmh and a 0-100 kmh acceleration time of 3.6 seconds! At the Geneva Show yesterday, Pagani Automobili pulled the covers off the Roadster F, a new jewel in the Zonda family. Hand built in a limited run of just 25 cars, the Roadster F offers the outstanding driveability and performance of the F Coupe, enhanced by the pleasure of driving with a gentle breeze in your hair. Thanks to an original roof made out of carbon fibre and cloth (removable in a few seconds) and due to the use of carbon fabrics for the construction of the central chassis, bodywork and interior, it was possible to maintain the dry weight of 1230kg, which translates to a stellar weight/power ratio of 1.89kg/bhp for the Clubsport version.
Rolls-Royce unveils experimental four-seat coupe at Geneva show
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February 28, 2006 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a second experimental car, 101EX, at the Geneva show today. It has been hand built to explore a potential design direction for a future coupe model. Experimental manufacture of motor cars and engines has long been a Rolls-Royce tradition. In 1919 the 1EX was produced, based on a Silver Ghost chassis. It was the first in a long line of EX cars that spanned almost 40 years, ending with the 45EX in 1958. The experimental car unveiled for the marque’s centenary in 2004 was named the 100EX. 101EX uses the same lightweight aluminium construction that was developed for the Phantom, although the body is shorter by 240mm. A full four-seat coupe, twin coach doors add to the car’s rakish good looks and streamlined coupe profile.
Aero X Concept unveiled
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March 2, 2006 Inspired by its unique aviation heritage, Saab produced one of the sensations at this year’s Geneva Show with the Aero X concept - a two-seater sports coupe that breaks with automotive design convention both outside and inside to make a unique statement in performance car design. First, there are no doors…or windscreen pillars. That's because the Saab Aero X adopts a cockpit canopy, just as you would see on a Saab jet aircraft. It offers the Aero X pilot full 180 degree vision, and also facilitates entry and exit from its low-slung cabin. Thrust for the all-wheel drive Saab Aero X also comes from a powerplant with a difference. The 400 bhp, twin-turbo, BioPower V6 engine is fuelled entirely by bioethanol, a sustainable energy source that is kinder to the environment by cutting fossil CO2 emissions. The 'green power' of this advanced engine gives new meaning to the phrase 'performance with responsibility'.
FPV builds a concept car for Drifting
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March 3, 2006 Motor racing has always been about speed. For the last 100 years, Motorsport has been about racing from point A to Point B, and subsequently, once racing circuits were built, from point A to Point A. Now there’s a new form of Motorsport evolving and when Australian Ford subsidiary Ford Performance Vehicles developed an “unofficial” concept car specifically for the new sport, we decided it was time to sit up and take notice. The sport is known as “drifting” and if you haven’t heard of it, no doubt you soon will – whatsmore, unlike all prior forms of Motorsport, it isn’t about speed. If motor racing is the equivalent of the 100 metre freestyle in the pool at the Olympics, think of drifting as synchronised diving. Originating in Japan and popularised by computer games in the US, drifting combines extreme driving skill with flair and artistry as drivers negotiate complex courses or routines in a controlled slide. Combining both solo qualifying runs with head-to-head competition, each event is judged on execution and style rather than speed, and is akin to skateboarding and freestyle motocross competition. So what makes an ideal concept car for Drifting? Ford’s DRIF6 features a lightweight chassis, racing cockpit and uprated version of its critically-acclaimed intercooled and turbo charged 4.0-litre in-line six cylinder producing more than 380kW of power and 700Nm of torque.
IED Turin Haizea concept car: a tribute to Lancia
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February 27, 2006 The Istituto Europeo di Design of Turin (IED) is now well established as one of the top international automotive design schools. As has become custom over recent years, the Institute creates a design concept each year which it displays at the Geneva International Motor Show. This year, the concept car project is named Haizea and is designed by the students of the Master RSP in Transportation Design.
The new Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet
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February 26, 2006 Ford returns to the world of open-topped motoring with the elegant yet practical Focus Coupe-Cabriolet – making its preview debut this week at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. The introduction of the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet has been led by customer response to Ford's Vignale Concept, which was displayed at the 2004 Paris Motor Show. The positive reaction prompted Ford to green-light the car for production, and it has been made ready in less than two years.
MINI Concept Geneva celebrates Monte Carlo Rally winner
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February 26, 2006 From 1964 to 1967 Mini dominated the Monte Carlo Rally, setting the foundation for its legendary reputation as a highly agile and nimble sports car. Now, commemorating the 100th birthday of Sir Alec Issigonis (the creator of the Mini and the outstanding victories scored by the Mini brand some 40 years ago, MINI Concept Geneva offers an up-to-date interpretation of the small British racer in its great days. In particular, this new concept model presents the core idea of the Mini Traveller, Mini Countryman, and Mini Clubman Estate in a highly progressive new model variant.
World Premiere for new Porsche 911 GT3
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UPDATED NEW IMAGES AND PRICING February 25, 2006 The new Porsche 911 GT3 to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on February 28 sets a new benchmark for road-legal production sports cars with a 3.6-litre naturally aspirated engine. This uncompromised 911 sports coupe produces 305 kW of power for a specific output of 84.7 kW (115.3 bhp) per litre of displacement to create the new class benchmark. The 911 GT3 will be one of two star cars from Porsche at Geneva, with the 911 Turbo Coupe also making its World Premiere at the motor show.
U.K. Total Kit Car Show moves north to Oulton Park
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February 25, 2006 Building a kitcar can be one of the most rewarding experiences possible and has the added value of making truly exotic performance available and affordable. The UK remains the centre of the motor racing universe, with most Formula One race teams headquartered there, an entire support industry centred there and the largest kitcar industry of any country. The Uk kitcar industry generates UKP50 million annually, with 220 manufacturers selling around 4,500 cars a year. Last year a new type of event emerged when TotalKitCar magazine and motorsportvision staged the inaugural totalkitcar LIVE! event in September at the famous Brands Hatch racing circuit. The unique advantage of holding a kitcar show at a race circuit means manufacturers can exhibit their cars in the circuit’s race garages and the cars can be demonstrated on the racetrack for serious punters. So successful was the event that two such events will now be held annually. The Brands Hatch event will be held again this year on October 14 and there will be a second event at Oulton Park race circuit in Cheshire next month (March 25).
FIM calls for tenders for standard F1 ECU
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February 24, 2006 With the Formula 1 season just three weeks away, one of the more interesting expressions of interest posted to the web this week was tucked away inside the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) site – the on-line home of international motorsport and the world’s 213 motoring organizations. In readiness for the 2008 Formula 1 season, the FIA is seeking expressions of interest to supply all Formula 1 teams with a standard electronic control system as part of the drive to cut costs. The supplied system will be required to control an 8 cylinder engine, a 6 or 7 speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox and hydraulic multi-plate carbon clutch, an hydraulic differential and an energy recovery system. The supplied system will also be required to include steering wheel electronics, data acquisition and logging capability sufficient for all control, diagnostic and chassis performance analysis functions with fast data upload capability, an accident data recorder and a single infrastructure telemetry system. That should keep a few hundred engineers off the streets for the next month!
Lotus rebirths GT-inspired two-seater Europa
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February 24, 2006 Lotus is preparing to launch its new Grand Tourer, the Lotus Europa S (bottom right), at next week’s Geneva Motor Show. Code-named Sepang during its development, the new GT signals the re-birth of the Europa model name, last used by Lotus in the early 1970s (top right). No longer will the outrageous fun and exhilaration of driving a true Lotus require Lotus customers to make such significant compromises when it comes to the practicality of living with their 'pride and joy' on a daily basis. The purity and simplicity of the Lotus Elise and Exige ranges is now perfectly complemented with the arrival of the new Europa S - a car which stays true to the Lotus philosophy of 'Performance through light weight', but recognises that for some, the Elise and Exige experience may sometimes prove just a little too 'extreme'!".
Plug-in Hybrid Technology Kits released
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February 24, 2006 Hymotion has unveiled a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) kit for a range of existing hybrid vehicles. Hymotion currently has systems available for Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid with systems under development for Lexus RX400h, Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles are more fossil-fuel-efficient than existing hybrids as they can be recharged by plugging into a regular household electrical outlet and can hence travel for a greater percentage of each journey on solely electrical power. The Hymotion PHEV kit includes up to seven times more battery capacity enabling the vehicles to be used as electric zero-emission cars for short journeys. According to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), half the cars in the U.S. are driven just 25 miles a day or less so a plug-in vehicle with even a 20-mile range could reduce petroleum fuel consumption by about 60 percent. Though the Hymotion PHEV kit will initially cost US$9500 and will be sold only to Government and fleet owners, a target price of US$5000 is expected by the time the kit becomes available to the public 12 months from now. The advantages of PHEV include better fuel economy, fewer visits to gas station, lower fuel costs, less pollution and longer range in all-electric mode - the solution for spiking gas prices, CO2 emissions and dependence on imported oil.
The new and passionately developed Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
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February 23, 2006 Spend an hour running your eyes over the Lamborghini Murcielago and you might find difficulty attempting to conceptualise doing it any differently. Yet all things must pass, and next week Automobili Lamborghini will present the "passionately developed evolution of the Lamborghini Murcielago Coupe" at the 76th International Car Show in Geneva. The new version features considerable innovation in terms of body design and mechanics. Its new name, Murcielago LP640, refers to the position its new 6.5 litre V12 engine - longitudinale posteriore - and to its power output of 640 bhp. Designers and engineers have not only focused on reworking the engine, suspension, gearbox, exhaust system, brakes and electronics, but also the interior and exterior design; improvements that retain the Murcielago LP640 positioning at the extremity of sports car performance and desirability. For those wishing to flaunt the gorgeous 60 degree V12 heart of their Murcielago LP640, an engine hood made of transparent glass is now available. The LP640will be available later this year.
The Wizard of Nos
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February 22, 2006 Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is best known as laughing gas and perhaps as the world’s first anesthetic. To engine builders seeking high performance though, Nitrous Oxide injection is one of the best bang-per-buck engine modifications possible. Once solely the domain of drag racing, it became a common performance mod for street racers in the eighties where people such as Trevor "The Wizard of NOS" Langfield learned their craft. Langfield has now committed his quarter century of knowledge in building nitrous oxide performance engines and parts to a book entitled The Nitrous Oxide High Performance Manual and it’s well worth a look for anyone interested in high performance engine building, particularly the sort that can be summoned at the press of a button.
200 mph Carbon Fiber Electric Supercar to cost US$125,000
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April 23, 2006 Electric cars have until now been relatively tame machines compared to their petroleum-engined supercar brethren from Bugatti, Koenigsegg and McLaren. The Venturi Fetish was the world’s fastest and most exclusive electric car until this week, being assembled to order by hand in Monaco but it has a top speed of just 180 km/h – hardly the sort of performance you’d sell the kids for, and indeed, that may be necessary given that it comes with a price tag starting at 450,000 Euro (US$583,000). The stakes have now been raised raised considerably though as Hybrid Technologies has joined with Los Angeles-based exotic sports car manufacturer Mullen motors to create a new benchmark for electric car performance. Mullen’s distinctive GT with its combination of style, handling and performance was recently named by Forbes magazine as the 7th fastest American production car, an honour shared with Saleen and Dodge Viper. The remarkable news is that with its transplanted 700 horsepower electric motor, the new electric sports car will not only be much faster than the Venturi Fetish, but will perform slightly better than the current petrol-engined Mullen GT with a top speed of 200 mph and a 0-60 mph time of just over 3 seconds. The only external difference will be the badges.
Most powerful Mini ever – the MINI GP for Geneva Motor Show
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February 21, 2006 The MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works (JCW) GP Kit will make its first public viewing at the Geneva Motor Show. The fastest, most powerful production MINI ever will reach 62mph in under 6.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 146mph. The GP has a power output of 218bhp, a stunning 136bhp per litre, and a maximum torque of 245Nm. Only 2000 of this special production model will be built with production beginning from July onwards. The guide price is UKP22,000 which includes UKP10,000 worth of additional equipment if specified on a standard MINI Cooper S. In the spritual home of the MINI, the United Kingdom, almost three-quarters of the UK allocation have already been ordered by MINI enthusiasts six months ahead of launch.
Dodge 170 hp Hornet Concept set to create a BUZZ
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February 21, 2006 The Dodge brand rejoices in its role as the hardest hitting and least politically correct of the Daimler Chrysler Group. As such it can do things which other brand custodians couldn’t dream of, and the rallye-ready Dodge Hornet concept vehicle to be shown next week at the Geneva Motor Show is a perfect example. Tough and brash, the Dodge Hornet concept vehicle brings to the competitive entry-level B-segment market an ideal combination of European sensibility regarding engine size and overall footprint with an American flair for aggressive attitude and flexible interior space. Underhood is a 1.6L 16-valve OHC supercharged intercooled four-cylinder engine producing 127 kW (170 hp) and 224 N m (165 lb.-ft.) of torque at 4000 rpm. The interior though, is based on extreme flexibility and function, having been modelled on studies of space capsule interiors, since they are designed for high efficiency in a limited space. The space-saving foam seats are exceptionally slim and adaptable. Both the passenger front bucket seat and the 40-60 three-passenger rear seats fold forward and collapse to the floor to provide a flat load bed. To facilitate this, the headrests fold forward to stow between the seat back and cushion. In addition, the rear seats also flip rearward to stow in back, flush with the liftgate sill. This position provides for the highest possible vertical storage behind the front seats. When upright, the rear seats track rearwards to provide an additional 225 mm of legroom for rear seat passengers.
The Easy-Klick Sortimo System – easy to transfer from the van to the workshop
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February 21, 2006 There is more than one-way to use a vehicle and we love the concept of modular, click-in and click-out fittings for vans and automobiles, enabling them to morph into the environment required for different specific tasks. So when we saw the latest from Sortimo International we felt it was worth a mention. Sortimo already produces a wide range of in-vehicle racking solutions and is preparing to launch a newly developed ‘Easy-Klick System’. The system adds another concept to the mobile workshop allowing even more flexibility than before. It enables a fully equipped trades vehicle to be transformed into one with an empty loading area from time to time, completely painlessly. The modules all come fitted with wheels, so they can be wheeled in and out of the van for easier-on-site access, or for cleaning or for complete removal. Just wheel the system into place and "click" it to the anchoring points. Straight away everything is securely fastened. When you require your vehicle to transport some bulky goods and you need an empty load area, just "unclick" the equipment and you are ready to go. What we need Sortimo to do now is design the modules for a weekend-camper so that can be clicked in on Friday afternoon for a quick jaunt across the border.
BMW unveils biturbo 3.0-litre six with the same power and more torque than the 4.0-litre eight cylinder engine
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February 20, 2006 Backing up its global success with the innovative 507 bhp V10 powerplant for the M5 and M6 super cars (2005 Engine of the Year), and the VALVETRONIC magnesium-aluminium straight-six engines introduced in 2005, BMW is set to tear the wraps off a production-ready biturbo version of its acclaimed petrol-powered six-cylinder. Retaining the familiar 3.0-litre capacity, the new all-aluminium engine boasts a pair of turbochargers, each feeding a trio of cylinders. When combined with the efficiency and flexibility of acclaimed BMW VALVETRONIC and double-VANOS technology, the new engine is able to produce an immense 225 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque. BMW claims that with the technologies it has employed in the new motor, the traditional bugbear of turbo lag has been vaporised and fuel consumption has been slashed.
One turbocharger per cylinder concept
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February 18, 2006 Just as the major automotive manufacturers build concept vehicle to exhibit their design ideas and expertise, so too do specialist companies create projects designed to showcase technological knowhow and potential future developments. UK-based automotive performance specialists specialists Owen Developments has unveiled just such a project with its unique Quad Turbo Kit concept. The project was created to evaluate how small a turbocharger would need to be to be used for each cylinder of an engine. The company sees the main benefit of multi turbochargers is to produce sufficient turbine speed to achieve optimum boost pressure for each of the four cylinders, resulting in better driveability, engine response and more performance.
VW Crossover Concept A combines sports car design with SUV elements
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February 17, 2006 Volkswagen has revealed its latest design study, the Concept A, a crossover between a sports car and a compact SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle). The concept combines a sleek coupe-style silhouette with the raised stance of an SUV. The study shown in Berlin yesterday is powered by a 110 kW (150 hp) Twincharger (TSI), with power reachingthe wheels via a six gear transmission and an all wheel drive 4MOTION system. Studies such as this are allowed complete freedom though, and VW also suggested that the study might find its way into production (as VW concepts tend to do), powered by a turbo diesel direct fuel injection (TDI) motor or the FSI Turbo of the Golf GTI (147 kW / 200 hp).
The Maserati GranSport MC Victory
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February 16, 2006 To celebrate winning the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers' Cup, Maserati has launched a new limited edition model of the Maserati GranSport. The Maserati GranSport MC Victory will be officially launched at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, and will be on the market from May, with only 180 uniquely numbered units produced.
Peugeot debuts new 207, 207 Rcup sports concept car, and 307 CC Hybride diesel Hdi concept
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February 16, 2006 At the 76th Geneva International Motor Show, the new Peugeot 207 will make its world premiere, and to emphasise the importance of 207, a stylish and sporty RCup concept model will be shown that is likely to be the design blueprint for a future Peugeot Sport competition programme. The 207 Rcup is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre 16v petrol engine producing 280bhp at 8,500rpm, with a 6-speed sequential gearbox and 18 inch alloy wheels. Also to be shown in Geneva is the 307 CC Hybride HDi diesel technology demonstrator, like the 307 HDi hatchback unveiled by PSA Peugeot Citroen in January.
Rinspeed zaZen – vision of the future automobile unveiled
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February 17, 2005 Rinspeed and Bayer MaterialScience have finally unveiled images and details of the car we previewed in December as “Automotive enlightenment on four wheels” - the jointly develop concept zaZen involves a number of revolutionary lighting techniques and a transparent hardtop and will be displayed to the public at the Geneva Motor Show on February 28, 2006. zaZen is the work of famous Swiss designer, Frank M. Rinderknecht, and it represents his vision of the car of the future. The vehicle was produced in cooperation with Bayer MaterialScience, one of the world's largest plastics producers. It also embraces a technical revolution in car manufacture, with the transparent backlite being turned into a luminous holographic area. As if from nowhere, the third brake light shines out of what looks like a floating transparent hardtop.
Rinspeed consistently produces innovative concept cars, but this time it has outdone itself.
Mazda begins leasing Rotary Hydrogen Vehicles
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February 15, 2006 Yet another major automotive company has taken a hydrogen vehicle to market. Mazda announced today that it has received permission from Japan’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) to begin leasing the RX-8 Hydrogen RE to corporate customers. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicles are equipped with a rotary engine, and feature a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select either hydrogen or gasoline. Mazda today signed those leases with Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. and Iwatani International Corporation and delivery is scheduled for late March 2006.
The new Mercedes SL 55 AMG
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February 15, 2006 Details of the new SL 55 AMG have been announced and the exceptional high-performance roadster from Mercedes-AMG has made further substantial advances in terms of technology, design and appointments. Reengineered AMG sports suspension based on second-generation Active Body Control is the key, and more direct steering and new AMG high-performance brakes bestow the two-seater with prodigious handling abilities. Meticulous attention to detail is also a feature of the new-look body and interior, with highlights including new AMG steering-wheel shift paddles and an AMG main menu with a RACETIMER. The improved AMG 5.5-litre V8 supercharged engine now has a new supercharger compressor and more efficient engine management unit to boost power from 368 kW (500 hp) to 380 kW (517 hp), while the peak torque has been increased from 700 to 720 Nm. The engine management can now set the optimum combustion point individually for each cylinder, resulting in a further improvement in the efficiency of the AMG V8 engine. The new SL 55 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds (outgoing model: 4.7 seconds) and goes on to reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h, though motorists with an extra-dynamic streak can opt for the AMG Performance Package which ups the limited maximum speed to 300 km/h.
Terranaut - earth’s equivalent of a lunar rover
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February 15, 2006 Nissan has released more details of the large and imposing Terranaut which we previewed with design sketches a fortnight ago. The Terranaut is a mobile science laboratory, billed by Nissan as earth’s equivalent of a lunar rover, protecting its occupants from the environment so they can become part of it. Created by London-based Nissan Design Europe, the overriding theme behind the concept is one of function. Satellite information systems allow data access and transfer all over the planet. Terranaut has enough refrigerated storage space to house food, water and other provisions for a week in the field. Lightweight tents, sleeping bags built for extreme conditions and cooking facilities are ingenious built into storage compartments in the doors. This extensive article looks at the detail of the Terranaut’s design, and contrasts the Terranaut with Nissan’s other current show car destined for the Geneva Show – the PIVO. On one hand they couldn’t be more dissimilar. One is a diminutive yet innovative electric city car, the other a substantial four-wheel drive explorer. Although produced for two diametrically opposed habitats and physically at either extreme of car design boundaries, Pivo and Terranaut share some key elements: both, for example, have three seats and both feature rotating spherical ‘pods’ as a central part of their respective overall designs.
New high-performance Mazda3 MPS unveiled
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February 14, 2006 Mazda premiere a new high-performance Mazda3 MPS at the 76th annual Geneva International Motor Show on February 28. The flagship of the Mazda3 range, the all-new Mazda3 MPS, will give sports-minded customers outstanding performance coupled with a stylishly sophisticated design and everyday practicality and comfort the Mazda3 line up is known for. Mazda3 MPS is the second model in the Mazda Performance Series, following the Mazda6 MPS launched in the UK in January. The car will be called Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan, Mazdaspeed3 in North America and, in other key regions including Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Mazda3 MPS.
Sixth generation Porsche 911 Turbo debuts with 60 more horsepower
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February 14, 2006 The sixth generation of the famous Porsche 911 series’ top-of-the-range Turbo model will be celebrating its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show and will be available in German dealerships from June. The 911 Turbo (Type 997) now has an output of 353 kW (480 bhp) at 6,000 rpm, 60 bhp more than its predecessor (Type 996). The specific output of the 3.6-litre boxer engine thus climbs to a new all-time high of 98 kW (133 bhp) per liter of displacement. Rated torque has been increased from 560 to 620 Newtonmeters. The speed range in which this power is available has also been extended. While the previous model’s maxi-mum torque was available between 2,700 and 4,600 rpm, the corresponding figures are now 1,950 to 5,000 revs. In addition to the 911 Turbo, Porsche will be presenting another world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show: the new 911 GT3, billed by Porsche as a “racing car for the road.”
The first McLaren road car goes to auction
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February 13, 2006 It was sadly many years after the death of New Zealand racing driver and automotive engineer Bruce McLaren that his dream of creating the world’s fastest road car became a reality with the McLaren F1 road car. McLaren’s legacy in all forms of racing, from winning Le Mans in the famous GT40, to creating one of the most successful Formula One teams in history, puts him among automotive history’s immortals. And now one of his most significant creations is to go under the hammer: the stillborn M6-GT, of which only two examples were ever completed by the factory. The official Bruce McLaren Trust web site chronicles the history of the car which was modeled after the McLaren M6 CanAm monocoque sports racer. The head of the McLaren design department during the development of the M6-GT was aerospace engineer Robin Herd who recalls the M6 McLaren tests and certifies it as one of the earliest examples of a ground-effects car, with the nose shaped to create negative pressure under the car. From an article on the McLaren Interntaional site, “On the day of the big test … we went all high-tech with a half-inch rubber tube taped to the bottom of the car leading to a pressure gauge which I was holding. I had crammed myself into the passenger seat and Bruce was barrelling into the first corner at Goodwood … when the gauge suddenly registered negative pressure. I had rather hoped that Bruce would be concentrating on staying on the road, but he spotted the change on the gauge and started whooping and shouting and laughing and banging my arm. We’d cracked it!”
NISMO 350Z sports coupe – official factory performance parts create concept car
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February 12, 2006 Nissan Motorsports International began life as Nissan’s motorsport arm two decades ago when the company’s Z-cars were experiencing remarkable success in racing, and creating a burgeoning aftermarket industry in their own right. In the high-tech cult of vehicle modification which grew inside Japan, Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) parts became recognised as the finest in factory-tuned performance components for Nissan street cars giving the name legendary status. NISMO entered the U.S. market in 2003 with a select number of performance-enhancing components for the Nissan Sentra SE-R and the 350Z and has since expanded its offerings to the Frontier, Xterra and Altima models. So successful has the move been that Nissan is now rolling out the NISMO brand globally, as evidenced by the stunning NISMO 350Z sports coupe presented at this week’s Melbourne International Motor Show. The “concept car” was created entirely from parts available over the counter at the dealer network. That's the concept car (bottom) and the NISMO carbon-fiber 350Z-based race car at top.
Eight cylinders, 2.4 litres, more than 700 bhp, more than 19,000 rpm
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February 11, 2006 The new Mercedes-Benz Formula One engine for 2006 has eight cylinders in a V-configuration, a capacity of 2.4 litres, and produces “more than 700 brake horsepower” at “more than 9,000 rpm” and weighs just 95 kilograms. The engine and the new livery of the McLaren Mercedes MP4 2006 car were unveiled overnight, adding to those we have already covered for the Toyota, BMW, Ferrari, Honda, Williams and Renault teams. In keeping with McLaren’s high tech brand values, the new livery has an innovative surface coating, which achieves a high level of reflectivity and makes the largely composite machine appear chromed. The technology used was perfected by McLaren during the past six months and is completely new to Formula One.
The new 510 hp V8 Mercedes-Benz R 63 AMG
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February 10, 2006 Mercedes-AMG unveiled the new R 63 AMG at the Chicago Auto Show yesterday. An interpretation of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class, the R 63 AMG is powered by the new AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine. With an output of 375 kW/510 hp, 630 Newton metres of torque and permanent four-wheel drive, the Grand Sports Tourer offers a combination of sportiness, spaciousness and top-class comfort for up to six passengers. Following on from the unveiling of the Vision R 63 AMG at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main in September 2005, and the positive response to this show car, the series-produced model is now being launched with availability in the third quarter of 2006.
Chevrolet unveils new Avalanche with E85 FlexFuel
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February 12, 2006 General Motors introduced the latest rollout of its next-generation full-size truck family, the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche, at the Chicago Auto Show. The Avalanche combines the passenger-comfort of an SUV with the cargo capability of a truck and the new 2007 model offers more power, better fuel economy and optional E85 flex-fuel capability. E85 FlexFuel vehicles can run on any combination of gasoline and/or E85, a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 can contribute to energy independence because it diversifies the source of transportation fuels beyond petroleum, and it provides positive environmental benefits in the form of reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
